North youngsters ready for musical extravaganza

Get ready for an evening of your favourite musical numbers from Chicago to Mamma Mia! Following a successful concert in Brae in 2007, a team of young people from Northmavine are busy rehearsing for another charity event, MORE Musical Favourites for Summer Nights, this time at the Garrison Theatre. The profit will be donated to “beat”, the UK’s leading charity for people with eating disorders and their families.

The show is being produced by Rebecca Cheriyan, 18, and will feature live accompaniment led by Brae High School music teacher Kirsteen Straine.

Rebecca said the show on 1st July will comprise a mixture of familiar songs from musicals including Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables and will introduce a few new numbers. There will be dancing as well, with a rousing finale from Grease.

Fourteen performers and one host, all pupils or former pupils of Brae High School, will be on stage, accompanied by a mini-orchestra of music teachers and ex-pupils. In addition there is a backstage crew to help with the challenge of numerous costume changes. “We’re still trying to work it out,” said Rebecca.

Although many of the group have been on stage before thanks to performances with the drama group Splinters, and of course their show two years ago, this will be their first time at the Garrison. “It raises the bar,” said Rebecca, who will be heading to Aberdeen to study law in September. In preparation for the event, rehearsals are being held five days a week.

As well as being a fun event, it is designed to raise awareness of the “isolating experience” of having an eating disorder and to let sufferers know there is a charity to support them.

• Tickets for MORE Musical Favourites for Summer Nights on Wednesday 1st July at 7.30pm are now on sale from Shetland Box Office, Islesburgh Community Centre, telephone (01595) 745555, and are priced at £7/concessions £5.